Mental FlossStoryboardMemory LaneCurated byMental FlossLet’s take a walk through a simpler time, when childhood toys sparked joy, the snacks were way better, and there were pop culture icons who defined entire eras.
Mental FlossStoryboardHanukkahCurated byMental FlossFrom proper spellings and whether to call it a menorah or hanukkiah, to how to celebrate in space and where you can find a competitive dreidel game, we have the answers to pressing questions about the Festival of Lights.
Mental FlossStoryboardDreaming of a Weird ChristmasCurated byMental FlossFrom disturbing vintage Christmas cards to
Mental FlossStoryboardThanksgiving Stories to Feast UponCurated byMental FlossWhen your uncle starts to talk politics, get the conversation back on track with these Thanksgiving tidbits instead.
Mental FlossStoryboardThe Meanings Behind the Words and Spells From 'Harry Potter'Curated byMental FlossMuggle. Horcrux. Erised. Wingardium leviosa. To the outside world (or those aforementioned Muggles), Harry Potter fans seem to speak a language unto themselves. But many of these words and spells have a background in our real world.
Mental FlossStoryboardA Brief History of 'The Sims'Curated byMental FlossThe history of The Sims reveals a revolutionary game that was doubted time and again. People called it "the toilet game," and it might not have taken off so quickly without a pivotal kiss. The Sims took the mundane activities of life and turned them into an addictive experience that changed gaming forever.
Mental FlossStoryboardThe Best Insults From Some of History's Greatest Writers, Artists, and ThinkersCurated byMental FlossPlease enjoy some of the harshest put-downs and comebacks from a few of history's most renowned politicians, writers, and actors.
Mental FlossStoryboardSome of the most interesting forbidden locations on Earth.Curated byMental FlossDo you know about the island that's off-limits because of its deadly snake population? Or the impenetrable vault that supposedly holds the secret Coca-Cola recipe? We're examining some of the most interesting places you're not allowed to visit.
Mental FlossStoryboardMisconceptions About Colonial AmericaCurated byMental FlossFrom the faux love affair between John Smith and Pocahontas to the questionable accounts surrounding the pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock, here's the truth behind some of the most popular tall tales about Colonial America.
Mental FlossStoryboardMisconceptions About EvolutionCurated byMental FlossIf you think organisms always evolve to have more streamlined functions, you might be surprised to learn that one of the nerves connecting a giraffe’s brain to its voice box—which is less than 4 inches away—is about 13 feet long. We're getting to the bottom of that and even more misconceptions about evolution.
Mental FlossStoryboardThe History of Breakfast CerealCurated byMental FlossBreakfast cereal wasn't always a colorful, sugary treat hawked by cartoon characters. When John Harvey Kellogg developed corn flakes around the turn of the 20th century, he wanted them to be bland and basic. The doctor thought a diet of plain foods was the secret to fighting masturbation—something he and other fundamentalists considered a public health crisis. That was just the beginning of cereal's strange, fascinating history.
Mental FlossStoryboardMisconceptions About World War IICurated byMental FlossDid kamikaze pilots really volunteer? Did the U.S. really declare war against the Axis powers directly after Pearl Harbor? And did the Polish army really have a bear in the ranks?
Mental FlossStoryboardCelebrate the warmer weather with these cold coffee treatsCurated byMental FlossNow that winter is finally behind us, you can go back to enjoying cold brews and iced coffees without worrying about your teeth chattering.
Mental FlossStoryboardLet's celebrate some of history's weirdest inventionsCurated byMental FlossWe all love iPhones, laptops, and air fryers. But what about selfie toasters, fish-skin bikinis, and dog umbrellas?
Mental FlossStoryboardThe Unexpected Origins of 20 Culinary TermsCurated byMental FlossBaker's dozen, umami, barbecue... let's break down the history of these culinary terms and phrases.
Mental FlossStoryboardMisconceptions About the Civil WarCurated byMental FlossWhile the Civil War was definitely an ugly, bloody clash between the Union and the Confederacy, the conflict was more complex than “North vs. South.”
Mental FlossStoryboardThe History of Soul FoodCurated byMental Floss'Soul food.' You've undoubtedly heard the phrase, but what exactly does it mean? Oddly, it didn't originate as a culinary term. The expression—or at least a variation of it (soul's food)—was coined by William Shakespeare in his play 'The Two Gentlemen of Verona,' which is believed to have been written in the late 1500s. Find out more about its history.
Mental FlossStoryboardThe Twisted (and Delicious) History of RamenCurated byMental FlossThe history of ramen features cameos from The Yakuza crime syndicate, the U.S. Army, and a businessman who turned a simple idea into a worldwide convenience food. As you'll find out, ramen is so much more than a cheap and filling meal.
Mental FlossStoryboardSimple life hacks to use next time you clean the houseCurated byMental FlossTo help you get to the enjoyable side of cleaning, we’ve rounded up some tips and tricks to streamline the process and leave you with more time to enjoy your fresh and tidy home.
Mental FlossStoryboardMisconceptions About the Roman EmpireCurated byMental FlossBetween Russell Crowe’s 2000 movie 'Gladiator' and William Shakespeare’s much older play 'Julius Caesar,' we’ve gotten a pretty good overview of what went down in ancient Rome—or so we think. We're heading back to the time of togas to find out if, for one, people actually wore togas. (They did, but the yards-long garments were too expensive and elite to be the go-to garb for everyone.)
Mental FlossStoryboardThe Stories Behind Your Favorite Christmas TraditionsCurated byMental FlossFrom expecting Santa to fill our footwear with gifts to eating cake that looks like tree bark, the holidays are filled with traditions—some of which are downright odd when you stop and think about them. Where did they come from?
Mental FlossStoryboardHow 'Oregon Trail' took over computer labsCurated byMental FlossIn the 1980s and 1990s, computer classrooms across the country taught kids about the perils of dysentery and crossing rivers in wagons with 'The Oregon Trail,' an instructive—and morbid—text-based adventure game. We're here to discover the true story behind this pioneering simulation and talk about some of our other favorite retro video games.
Mental FlossStoryboardThe origins of all your favorite Christmas-related wordsCurated byMental FlossMost people have heard that Christmas is literally the “Christ Mass” of the Christian church, and that Santa Claus takes his name from a corruption of “Saint Nicholas,” the 4th-century figure whose fondness for secretly handing out gifts apparently inspired the traditional image of Father Christmas. But what about all of the other festive words that crop up at this time of year? Well, we're detailing the origins of a whole bunch of 'em.
Mental FlossStoryboardThings You Might Not Know About the English LanguageCurated byMental FlossThe English language can be baffling at times—just look to words like 'phlegm,' 'receipt,' and 'chthonic' for proof. But there's a reason for a lot of the quirks of the language, even if they're not always satisfying. Learn more about some of the strange rules of the English language.
Mental FlossStoryboardEverything you need to know about your favorite Thanksgiving foods.Curated byMental FlossDig into the history of everyone's favorite Thanksgiving foods, from the turkey at the center of the action to the pumpkin pie that caps off the night. Then, stick around for some useful hacks to make sure your holiday feast goes off without a hitch.
Mental FlossStoryboardThe History behind our Thanksgiving traditionsCurated byMental FlossSo, why exactly does the president pardon a turkey? And why do the Cowboys and Lions play football games every single year? We’re diving into the history of some of our favorite (and strangest) Thanksgiving traditions.
Mental FlossStoryboardMisconceptions About the Middle AgesCurated byMental FlossBy the end of this Storyboard, you’ll no longer believe that medieval people feasted always, bathed never, and generally lacked an appreciation for truth and beauty. And the next time your friend mentions anything about jousting, you can spearhead a lively debate on the subject.
Mental FlossStoryboardAnswering your biggest questions about U.S. PresidentsCurated byMental FlossWe're detailing our favorite facts and answering your biggest questions about the highest office in the land.
Mental FlossStoryboardPut Leftover Halloween Candy To Good UseCurated byMental FlossThere’s no such thing as too much candy on Halloween, but come November you may be looking for new ways to make a dent in your haul. Here, you'll find recipes that call for some of those sugary favorites, along with donation information and some fun facts about your favorite treats.
Mental FlossStoryboardThe Life and Legacy of Theodore RooseveltCurated byMental FlossIn honor of TR's 162nd birthday, we examine the triumphs, controversies, and lasting impact of the 26th President of the United States.
